Coast Guard petty officer faces court-martial for alleged rape

Petty Officer 3rd Class William Bisel is charged with two violations of Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which defines sexual assault charges, according to a written statement from the Coast Guard. Bisel, 26, is an aviation maintenance technician, the Coast Guard said.

"These charges were initially made in April 2012, which is when the Coast Guard investigation began," said Chief Petty Officer Kip Wadlow, a Coast Guard spokesman.

A Feb. 4 Article 32 hearing -- similar to a grand jury hearing in civilian court -- led to the court martial, Wadlow said. The hearing had been set for Wednesday but was rescheduled, Wadlow said.

Wadlow said he could not release details of the investigation, including where the alleged rape occurred. More information is expected to be presented during the court martial proceedings at the Hurff Ackerman Sanders Federal Building in Juneau.